Isoform-Specific Interactions Between Halothane and the Ryanodine Receptor Ca2+–Release Channel: Implications for Malignant Hyperthermia and the Protein Theory of Anaesthetic Action

 General anaesthetics exhibit a relatively close relationship between their pharmacological potency and their lipid solubility and may thus act by non-specific perturbation of biomembranes. However, more recent data on anaesthetic action suggests that inhalational drugs such as halothane bind directly to hydrophobic protein domains, thereby modulating important receptor functions. In support of this protein theory of anaesthetic action our native gel analysis presented here shows that halothane induces oligomerization of the skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor (RyR) 1 Ca²⁺–release channel, but not its cardiac RyR-2 isoform. Thus, inhalational anaesthetics are not only able to influence protein-protein interactions directly but also appear to differentiate between protein isoforms and/or configurations. This suggests that distinct peptide binding sites exist for these pharmacological agents. In addition, similar mutations in the RyR-2 isoform, which would trigger an episode of malignant hyperthermia in skeletal muscle fibres via abnormal RyR-1 isoforms, would probably not induce an increase in cardiac Ca²⁺–release upon administration of halothane. Received: 26 March 1999 / Accepted in revised form: 26 August 1999     

Signaltransduktion in Sehzellen

2+   concentration. This review describes our present knowledge about the signal transduction and its fine tuning by a complex network of Ca²⁺-mediated processes in vertebrate photoreceptors.      

Lodging in rice can be alleviated by atmospheric CO2 enrichment

The projected increase of atmospheric CO₂ concentration [CO₂] is expected to increase yield of agricultural C₃ crops, but little is known about effects of [CO₂] on lodging that can reduce yield. This study examined the interaction between [CO₂] and nitrogen (N) fertilization on the lodging of rice (Oryza sativa L.) using free-air CO₂ enrichment (FACE) systems installed in paddy fields at Shizukuishi, Iwate, Japan (39°38′N, 140°57′E). Rice plants were grown under two levels of [CO₂] (ambient = 365 μmol mol⁻¹; elevated [CO₂] = 548 μmol mol⁻¹) and three N fertilization regimes: a single initial basal application of controlled-release urea (8 g N m⁻², CRN), split fertilization with a standard amount of ammonium sulfate (9 g N m⁻², MN), and ample N (15 g N m⁻², HN). Lodging score (six ranks at 18° intervals, with larger scores indicating greater bending), yield, and yield components were measured at maturity. The lodging score was significantly higher under HN than under CRN and MN, but lodging was alleviated by elevated [CO₂] under HN. This alleviation was associated with the shortened and thickened lower internodes, but was not associated with a change in the plant's mass moment around the culm base. A positively significant correlation between lodging score and ripening percentage indicated that ripening percentage decreased by 4.5% per one-unit increase in lodging score. These findings will be useful to develop functional algorithm that can be incorporated into mechanistic crop models to predict rice production more accurately in a changing climate and with different cultural practices.     

XDLVO理论解析钙离子对腐殖酸反渗透膜污染的影响机制

以XDLVO（extended Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek）理论定量解析腐殖酸反渗透（reverse osmosis,RO）膜污染过程中的界面相互作用,分析3种界面相互作用力在膜污染过程中的贡献,重点探究不同溶液pH条件下Ca2＋对腐殖酸RO膜污染的影响.结果表明,无论Ca2＋是否存在,对膜污染起促进作用的范德华力在pH 3时为主导作用力,而减缓膜污染的极性作用力在pH 7及pH 10时成为主控因素.静电力在所有测试条件下作用微弱,因此对膜污染贡献很小.Ca2＋主要通过改变极性作用力影响腐殖酸RO膜污染行为,且其影响随溶液pH值的降低而凸显,多数情况下Ca2＋会促进腐殖酸RO膜污染.界面自由能与膜污染程度相关性分析表明,XDLVO理论可以合理预测不同溶液条件下腐殖酸RO膜污染行为.     

Recycling thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) waste glass produced as glass–ceramics

The waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) directives are designed to deal with the rapidly increasing waste stream comprised of electrical and electronic equipment. Recycling electrical and electronic equipment reduces the quantity of waste going to final disposal. The demand for thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) panels, commonly used in everyday electronic products, is increasing. Conventionally adopted treatments of TFT-LCD waste glass cannot meet WEEE directives. This study adopts the following operating conditions in fabricating glass–ceramics: sintering temperature of 800–950 °C; sintering time of 6 h; and, temperature increase rate of 5 °C/min. The glass–ceramic samples then underwent a series of tests, including the Vickers hardness, water absorption and porosity tests, to determine product quality. The Vickers hardness was 12.1 GPa when fired at 900 °C for 6 h, and density was 2.4 g/cm³ and water absorption was 0%. Thus, TFT-LCD waste glass can be regarded as a good glass–ceramic material.     

Effects of protein properties on ultrafiltration membrane fouling performance in water treatment

Protein-like substances always induce severe ultrafiltration (UF) membrane fouling. To systematically understand the effect of proteins, regenerated cellulose UF membrane (commonly used for protein separation) performance was investigated in the presence of bovine serum albumin (BSA) under various water conditions. Results showed that although trypsin enhanced the membrane flux via proteolysis, catalysis took a long time. Membrane fouling was alleviated at high solution pH and low water temperature owing to the strong electrostatic repulsion force among BSA molecules. Both Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ could increase membrane flux. However, Ca²⁺ played a bridging role between adjacent BSA molecules, whereas membrane fouling was alleviated via a hydration repulsion force with Na⁺. The order of influence on membrane fouling was as follows: Ca²⁺ concentration > Na⁺ concentration > pH > temperature > trypsin concentration. Furthermore, a polyvinylidene fluoride UF membrane experiment showed that Ca²⁺ could reduce the fouling induced by BSA. Thus, the differences in UF membrane performance will have application potential for alleviating UF membrane fouling induced by proteins during water treatment.     

钙信号对镉诱导河南华溪蟹细胞凋亡的调控

以河南华溪蟹(Sinopptamon henanense)为研究材料,采用生理生化和酶学组织化学等方法,通过不同时间(12、24、48、72和96 h)不同镉浓度(0、14.5、29、58 mg·L-1)处理,首先研究了镉对肝胰腺细胞内钙调素(CaM)含量、钙ATP酶(Ca2+-ATPase)活性和细胞凋亡的影响;然后用Ca2+抑制剂EGTA和LaCl3预处理河南华溪蟹后再进行镉处理,以分析Ca2+信号对镉诱导肝胰腺细胞凋亡的影响.结果显示,镉处理引起肝胰腺细胞CaM含量和Ca2+-ATPase活性显著升高,并且Caspase-3和Caspase-9被激活.用Ca2+抑制剂EGTA和LaCl3预处理华溪蟹4 h后,再用镉处理48 h,镉诱导的肝胰腺细胞Caspase-3和Caspase-9活性上升都被阻断.结果表明:镉处理引起河南华溪蟹肝胰腺细胞Ca2+浓度发生变化,并通过CaM等信号分子调控Caspase-3/9活性,进而引发细胞凋亡.     

3类金属离子对活性污泥吸附水体腐殖酸的影响

研究了3类金属离子对活性污泥吸附水体腐殖酸效果的影响.结果表明,盐类金属离子(Na )、硬度金属离子(Ca2 、Mg2 )和水解金属离子(Al3 、Fe3 )均能在一定程度上提高吸附效率.作为活性污泥助凝剂,以大于10-2mol/L硬度离子的促进效果为好.加入10-2mol/L Ca2 、Mg2 48 h后溶液中的腐殖酸浓度分别为(0.64±0.17)mg/L和(2.32±0.40)mg/L,其去除率分别为98.4%和94.2%;当加入10-1mol/L Ca2 、Mg2 48 h后,其去除率均接近100%,而且Ca2 离子促进作用要优于Mg2 .盐类金属离子、硬度金属离子、水解金属离子提高活性污泥吸附腐殖酸的主要作用机理可能分别是压缩双电层、架桥作用、吸附共沉淀.同时,投加金属离子也可能使活性污泥上的吸附位性质改变或失效,对腐殖酸的吸附有一定的负面影响.     

Ca2+、Al3+对聚丙烯酰胺在高岭土絮凝过程中作用的影响

在实验条件下,Ca²⁺、Al³⁺离子对高岭土的絮凝过程有不利影响,且pH越高Ca²⁺的影响越大,pH越低,Al³⁺的影响越大.运用分子轨道(MO)理论、溶液化学计算、电子探针测试等手段,研究探讨了其作用机理.认为在酸性和中性范围内,Ca²⁺、Al³⁺离子及它们的羟基络合正离子与聚丙烯酰胺之间的相互作用造成后者分子链发生卷曲,导致絮凝效果下降;而在pH>9范围内,Ca²⁺、Al³⁺的氢氧化物沉积在高岭土表面,阻碍或抑制了聚丙烯酰胺与高岭土之间的氢键作用.     

Greenhouse gas emissions in restored secondary tropical peat swamp forests

Restoration of deforested and drained tropical peat swamp forests is globally relevant in the context of reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. The seasonal flux of carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O) in a restoration concession in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, was measured in the two contrasting land covers: shrubs and secondary forests growing on peatlands. We found that land covers had high, but insignificantly different, soil carbon stocks of 949?+?56 and 1126?+?147 Mg ha^?1, respectively. The mean annual CO₂ flux from the soil of shrub areas was 52.4?±?4.1 Mg ha^?1 year^?1, and from secondary peat swamp forests was 42.9?±?3.6 Mg ha^?1 year^?1. The significant difference in mean soil temperature in the shrubs (31.2 °C) and secondary peat swamp forests (26.3 °C) was responsible for the difference in total CO₂ fluxes of these sites. We also found the mean annual total soil respiration was almost equally partitioned between heterotrophic respiration (20.8?+?1.3 Mg ha^?1 year^?1) and autotrophic respiration (22.6?+?1.5 Mg ha^?1 year^?1). Lowered ground water level up to ??40 cm in both land covers caused the increase of CO₂ fluxes to 40–75%. These numbers contribute to the provision of emission factors for rewetted organic soils required in the national reporting using the 2013 Supplement of the 2006 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Guidelines for wetlands as part of the obligation under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

     

Experimental investigation of open core downdraft biomass gasifier for food processing industry

This paper deals with field related experience of a low temperature industrial heat application through biomass gasification. The gasification system is essentially consists of an open top down draft reactor lined with ceramic. The experiment reveals that 6.5 kg of liquefy petroleum gas (LPG) is fully replaced by 38 kg of sized wood on hourly basis. The maximum temperature attained was 367°C in 130 min at 100.7 Nm³ h⁻¹ gas flow rate. This system has resulted a saving of about 19.5 tons of LPG over 3,000 h of operation, implying a saving of about 33 tons of CO₂ emission, thus a promising candidate for clean development mechanism. Fuel economic analysis of gasifier system showed that the saving was about 13,850 US$ for 3,000 h of baking operation.     

Molecular Study of the Persistence of Infectious Human Norovirus on Food-Contact Surfaces

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of relative humidity (RH) and temperature on norovirus (NoV) persistence as infectious particles on food-contact surfaces such as stainless steel and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). For this purpose, a new method combining enzymatic digestion with molecular beacon-based NASBA targeting the ORF1-ORF2 domain was developed to discriminate between infectious and noninfectious NoV. Stainless steel and PVC disks were contaminated with known amounts of human NoV and kept for 56 days at 7 and 20°C at high (86% ± 4%) and low (30% ± 10%) RH. NoV retained its putative infectivity for 56 days on PVC and for 49 days on stainless steel at 7°C and for 7 and 28 days, respectively, at low and high RH at 20°C on both tested surfaces. These results confirm that NoV persists in an infective state on inert surfaces for long periods of time and consequently may cause illness. The new molecular approach to detecting infectious NoV on inert surfaces may provide valuable information for evaluating environmental surface decontamination strategies.     

青藏高原纳木错湖水主要化学离子的时空变化特征

为揭示青藏高原纳木错湖水化学离子的时空变化特征、来源以及主要控制因子,于2006～2010年连续定点(30°47.27’N,90°58.53’E,4 718 m a.s.l.)采集近岸表层湖水样品;于2009年8月采集湖心区剖面样品;于2010年10月采集湖心区剖面样品及表层湖水样品;对其主要化学离子进行分析.结果表明,纳木错湖水中主要阳离子为Na+,主要阴离子为HCO3-.绝大多数离子浓度在季风期较高(6～9月),而非季风期尤其是封冻期(1～4月)偏低;Ca2+浓度的变化则相反,即封冻期较高,而非封冻期较低且变化较小.对垂直剖面湖水分析表明,在湖水垂直结构稳定的非季风期(如10月),除Ca2+浓度随深度无显著变化外,其他离子浓度随深度增加而增大.纳木错湖水主要离子来源于入湖河水的贡献;影响离子时空变化的因素包括蒸发、降水、pH值等,其中蒸发是最主要的影响因素,它造成湖水Na+浓度不断升高而Ca2+浓度降低.     

双河洞流域氢氧同位素特征及其指示意义

为了探究喀斯特区域地表水与地下水的相互转化关系及水-岩作用特征,以双河洞流域为研究对象,分别在2018年12月和2019年6月对流域地表水与地下水进行监测采样。运用数理统计、Piper三线图、回归分析等方法对水样的氢氧同位素组成和水化学特征进行分析。结果表明：（1）旱季和雨季流域内地表水、地下水优势阳离子以Ca²⁺和Mg²⁺为主,优势阴离子以HCO₃^-为主;水化学类型为Ca²⁺·Mg²⁺-HCO₃^-型。（2）流域内氢氧同位素具有季节变化特征,表现为雨季高、旱季低;流域沿程有着复杂的转换关系,池武溪上游以地下水补给地表水为主,池武溪中游至下游地表水与地下水交替补给。（3）流域氘盈余值呈现出旱季低雨季高的季节差异,在水-岩作用的影响下与当地大气降水的氘盈余值变化特征相反,而且水-岩作用强烈的区域与流域洞穴密集分布的特点相对应。     

SO2诱导的萱草保卫细胞凋亡及其信号调节

SO2是一种常见的大气污染物,急性和慢性暴露都会对植物造成伤害.因此,本文以景观绿化植物萱草叶片下表皮为材料,研究了SO2对气孔保卫细胞的致死效应及其可能的信号调节途径.结果表明,利用SO2体内衍生物-亚硫酸钠和亚硫酸氢钠混合液处理萱草表皮3 h后,随着处理浓度(1.0~5.0 mmol·L-1)的增加,萱草保卫细胞生理活性下降,甚至死亡;浓度超过2.0 mmol·L-1时,细胞死亡率显著增高(p0.05),死细胞出现核固缩、核拉长、核碎片等典型凋亡特征,保卫细胞内的活性氧种(ROS)、一氧化氮(NO)和Ca2+水平显著升高.采用不同浓度的抗氧化剂过氧化氢酶(CAT)、抗坏血酸(AsA),Ca2+螯合剂乙二醇双四乙酸(EGTA)和Ca2+通道抑制剂氯化镧(LaCl3)及NO清除剂羧基-2苯-4,4,5,5-四甲基咪唑-1-氧-3氧化物(C-PTIO)和合成抑制剂叠氮钠(NaN3)处理后,均可使SO2衍生物诱发的细胞死亡率降低,以200 U·mL-1CAT、0.05 mmol·L-1的AsA、EGTA、LaCl3及0.20 mmol·L-1的C-PTIO、NaN3的效果最佳,同时胞内ROS、NO和Ca2+水平下降.以上结果表明,一定浓度的SO2可诱导萱草保卫细胞死亡,可能通过诱导ROS和NO爆发,激活细胞质膜钙通道,进而引起胞内Ca2+增加,通过ROS-NO-Ca2+信号途径介导细胞死亡.SO2诱导的萱草细胞死亡可能存在细胞凋亡过程.     

Environmental friendly technology of cold-bonded bottom ash aggregate manufacture through chemical activation

Cold bonding facilitates production of aggregate with minimum energy consumption compared to the sintered aggregate, which requires a heat treatment in the range of 1000–1200 °C. The strengthening of pelletized bottom ash in cold bonding at ambient temperature is due to the formation of CSH gel during the hydration from the chemical reaction between CaO, water and the pozzolanic character of the bottom ash. Chemical activation is done using Na₂SO₄ to enhance the strength of the cold-bonded aggregate by accelerating the pozzolanic reaction and formation of more ettringite. Experimental runs were designed using Central Composite Design and the properties of cold-bonded aggregate like bulk density, ten percent fines value (TPFV), porosity and water absorption were studied. It was observed that increase in binder and Na₂SO₄ dosages increased the strength and decreased the open porosity thereby reducing the water absorption.     

岩溶地下水补给的地表河流溶解无机碳昼夜变化与钙沉降

溶解无机碳昼夜动态变化对河流水体碳通量的估算有重要影响。本文选择由地下水补给且富含水生植物的典型河流,开展高分辨率水文地球化学监测和高频率水样取样工作,分析了水化学的昼夜动态变化特征,钙与无机碳昼夜循环产生的生物地球化学控制机理,估算了钙与无机碳昼夜通量。结果表明,白天pH、SIC上升,产生钙沉降和水体无机碳(主要为HCO-3)含量的下降,夜间得到地下水的补给,Ca2+和HCO-3浓度回升。监测期间,官村地下河出口地表河流钙与溶解有机碳的流失或沉降量分别为69.04kg/d和168.68kg/d,即51.14g/(m·d)和124.95g/(m·d),分别占输入量的6.2%和4.7%。受水生植物光合作用和钙化作用控制,沿流程发生无机碳向有机碳转化,是真正意义上的自然碳汇。     

Adsorptive behaviors of humic acid onto freshly prepared hydrous manganese dioxides

This study focused on the adsorptive behaviors of humic acid onto freshly prepared hydrous MnO₂(s) (δMnO₂), and investigated the feasibility of employing δMnO₂ for humic acid removal from drinking water. Effects of such parameters as molecular mass of humic acid, kinds of divalent cations on adsorptive behaviors and possible mechanisms involved were investigated. This study indicated that humic acid with higher molecular mass exhibited more tendency of adsorbing onto δMnO₂ than that with lower molecular mass. Ca²⁺ facilitated more humic acid adsorption than Mg²⁺; UV-Vis spectra analysis indicated higher capabilities of Ca²⁺ coordinating with acidic functional groups of humic acid than that of Mg²⁺. Additionally, ζ potential characterization indicated that Ca²⁺ showed higher potential of increasing gz potential of δMnO₂ than Mg²⁺. Ca²⁺ of 1.0 mmol/L increased ζ potential of δMnO₂ from −37 mV (pH 7.9) to +7 mV (pH 7.2), while 1.0 mmol/L Mg²⁺ increased to lower value as −9 mV (pH 6.5), correspondingly. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra demonstrated the adsorption of humic acid onto δMnO₂, showing the important roles of-COO⁻ functional groups and surface Mn-OH in the adsorption of humic acid onto δMnO₂. Translated from Acta Scientiae Circumstantiae, 2005, 25(3): 351–355 [译自: 环境科学学报]     

Investigation on mechanism of phosphate removal on carbonized sludge adsorbent

For the removal of phosphate (PO₄^3 -) from water, an adsorbent was prepared via carbonization of sewage sludge from a wastewater treatment plant: carbonized sludge adsorbent (CSA). The mechanism of phosphate removal was determined after studying the structure and chemical properties of the CSA and its influence on phosphate removal. The results demonstrate that phosphate adsorption by the CSA can be fitted with the pseudo second-order kinetics and Langmuir isotherm models, indicating that the adsorption is single molecular layer adsorption dominated by chemical reaction. The active sites binding phosphate on the surface are composed of mineral particles containing Si/Ca/Al/Fe. The mineral containing Ca, calcite, is the main factor responsible for phosphate removal. The phosphate removal mechanism is a complex process including crystallization via the interaction between Ca^2 + and PO₄^3 -; formation of precipitates of Ca^2 +, Al^3 +, and PO₄^3 -; and adsorption of PO₄^3 - on some recalcitrant oxides composed of Si/Al/Fe.